Of course, at Self , we don't just deal consciously with plastic in the month of May! Anyone who knows us a little knows that sustainability is one of our top priorities. We only have 1 planet and it could use some extra tender loving care ! Do you want to work on a greener care ritual? I would like to share my favorite tips with you.
Anyone who uses two cotton pads every day will easily throw 700 cotton pads in the trash in a year.
Too crazy for words, right? Rather replace your disposable discs with washable make-up pads: more sustainable and kind to your skin. There is also a greener alternative to disposable razor blades. It is better to use a razor where you only have to replace the razor-sharp blade. Saved some waste again!
Tip : At Self we have been swearing by washable pads for years! Our Purifying Beauty Make-up Pads are made from 100% organic bamboo: super soft for your skin and perfect for the sensitive area around the eyes and lips. They are packed in sets of 5, in a handy laundry bag made of unbleached cotton. Do you already use them?
Anyone who uses two cotton pads every day will easily throw 700 cotton pads in the trash in a year.
Too crazy for words, right? Rather replace your disposable discs with washable make-up pads: more sustainable and kind to your skin. There is also a greener alternative to disposable razor blades. It is better to use a razor where you only have to replace the razor-sharp blade. Saved some waste again!
Tip : At Self we have been swearing by washable pads for years! Our Purifying Beauty Make-up Pads are made from 100% organic bamboo: super soft for your skin and perfect for the sensitive area around the eyes and lips. They are packed in sets of 5, in a handy laundry bag made of unbleached cotton. Do you already use them?
Less is more
Complicated ten-step programs to keep your skin healthy? Not for me! At Self we believe in a simple care ritual that fits easily into your life. If you opt for quality, you really don't need a cupboard full of creams and lotions. Go for less, but better! Your skin and your wallet will reap the benefits. A simple care ritual also benefits the environment. Because fewer cosmetic products also means that less energy and raw materials are needed to make them.
Curious about what our SELF care ritual looks like exactly? You can read it here .
Recycling is something you can learn
How well do you recycle? In our family we attach great importance to recycling. Michelle knows perfectly well that empty plastic packaging belongs in the PMD bag and that the lids must be removed from glass jars before they end up in the bottle bank :-). Never throw your empty plastic bottles in the residual waste, but in the PMD. Better for the environment and your wallet!
Tip: You can also give empty packaging a second life. Many SELF fans use our empty jars to store jewelry or other small treasures
Beat the microbeads
Have you heard of microbeads? Microbeads are tiny plastic particles in cosmetic products that 'clean' your teeth, face or body. The big problem? The particles are so small that they slip through water purification systems and end up in our waterways (and in the stomachs of fish). This is how they inevitably end up on your plate. Choose cosmetics without microbeads. We are very proud of the zero waste logo we received from 'Beat The Microbeads', an organization that fights plastic pollution. SELF is 100% natural, no plastic particles included!
Would you like to learn more about microbeads and what influence they have on our body and nature? Good news! In the first episode of our brand new podcast I will have a conversation with Margo Witters, PhD student from Hasselt University and expert in microplastics. Listen to the podcast below via Soundcloud or watch the full recording on YouTube .
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Opt for low waste packaging
A cardboard box filled with another box, tightly wrapped with a layer of plastic... Many beauty products come with unnecessary packaging materials. At Self we are constantly looking for the most sustainable packaging. Where we can, we continuously adjust!
- Our creams are no longer in a box, but in a handy sleeve: again some paper saved!
- The paper boxes around our bottles made way for a more sustainable label.
- All our pots are made from recycled plastic. This requires a lot less raw materials (such as petroleum) and energy than for the production of new plastic. People sometimes ask us why we don't choose glass packaging. But the plastic recycling process still requires a lot less water than glass recycling. Our plastic packaging is free of phthalates or softeners. This means you can be sure that no harmful substances end up in your product!
- All our shipping boxes are made from recycled cardboard. We consciously choose small boxes that take up less space during transport. Sustainable, ecological and safe? Check!
Did you know that the green 'chips' that protect your products during transport are 100% soluble and biodegradable? You can melt the green filling material in water or put it on the compost heap!
Opt for low waste packaging
A cardboard box filled with another box, tightly wrapped with a layer of plastic... Many beauty products come with unnecessary packaging materials. At Self we are constantly looking for the most sustainable packaging. Where we can, we continuously adjust!
- Our creams are no longer in a box, but in a handy sleeve: again some paper saved!
- The paper boxes around our bottles made way for a more sustainable label.
- All our pots are made from recycled plastic. This requires a lot less raw materials (such as petroleum) and energy than for the production of new plastic. People sometimes ask us why we don't choose glass packaging. But the plastic recycling process still requires a lot less water than glass recycling. Our plastic packaging is free of phthalates or softeners. This means you can be sure that no harmful substances end up in your product!
- All our shipping boxes are made from recycled cardboard. We consciously choose small boxes that take up less space during transport. Sustainable, ecological and safe? Check!
Did you know that the green 'chips' that protect your products during transport are 100% soluble and biodegradable? You can melt the green filling material in water or put it on the compost heap!
Use natural formulas
All care products that you rinse or rinse off ultimately end up in our waterways. Shampoos, shower gels, scrubs, cleaners... therefore inevitably have an effect on the environment. Although it all depends on the formula. Products packed with chemicals inevitably release many toxic substances into nature. With natural formulas you can sleep soundly. These are broken down by natural micro-organisms and are therefore kind to our planet.
Pay attention to labels
Do you want to consciously choose green care products? Then pay attention to quality labels and don't be misled by clever marketing terms. Sounding promises such as '100% natural' and 'vegan' unfortunately do not always turn out to be true in reality. Do you want to be sure of your choice? These three recognized labels provide useful guidance.
You can read more about it here . We are very proud that all SELF products carry these quality labels! Our products are 100% natural and animal-friendly! Do you have any tips for a greener beauty ritual? Be sure to let me know! I always like to learn!
